Willow Creek Road Trail

Willow Creek Road Trail is a 6.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Occidental, California that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from January until January. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

This trail is great for those looking for a nice, moderate jaunt. Out and back around 7 miles, it has a fair amount of uphill and downhill and that trail is wide and easy to identify. This hike goes through beautiful redwood groves and has plenty of coverage. There are some exposed portions of the trail, but that typically do not last long and the views of the coast during these portions are usually spectacular. Bonus that I can bring my pup along as well! My only complaint was that the Willow Creek Road Trail wasn't terribly well marked once you get on the trail. We ended up going a different direction off the trail marked here on the website before realizing 20 minutes later. Weather was perfect and the leaves on some of the deciduous trees were starting to change!

Great trail for a hot summer day - at least 93 in Santa Rosa but it was a balmy 80 at the start of the hike. Nice long downhill- nothing awful coming back up the trail however a few steeper sections so wear some good support shoes. A friend went with us in a pair of Nikes and got blisters on the balls of her feet.

Uplifting awesome walk that opens into mellow meadows amidst rolling hills with views far and beyond. The track narrows and moves down into thickly wooded areas with bubbling streams of water and colorful wildflowers. The track moves between these environments steadily but gently moving deeper into the forest. It has an enchantment that made me just want to keep following that track.

Drive west from Occidental on Willow Creek Rd, and park near the gate. After the gate the paved road quickly turns into a wide trail. Initially there is a wonderful vista of the valley looking towards the coast. Quickly, the view becomes more forested with second or third growth Redwoods. A pleasant hike for a hot summer day.

A few miles in I suggest taking the Upper Old Barn Trail which follows an open grassy ridge, heading North by Northwest. Soon, vistas open up and the goal of this hike presents itself rather nicely. You'll pass fences, an old barn (da), and soon a trail intersection.

Take Seven Springs Trail east and you will keep going higher along another ridge. You'll be rewarded again with incredible panoramic vistas to the west and south west. The ridge across the valley has Coleman Valley Rd hidden just out of view. Coastal fog may tease you. You may see several culverts along the way. They are the Springs. I didn't count Seven, but I was distracted by the view. More Redwoods, some long exposed open fields (so bring water and a hat). Watch out for ticks and snakes as there are a lot of grassy fields.

The trail will return you to Willow Creek Rd just near the gate. It's a great loop.

Good trails nice and wide. Little muddy after the rain. Few small trees on path so watch out. Will go all the way to willow side rd but you meet a locked gate. From trail head to willow side road and back about 4 hours with few brakes nothing too extreme. Coleman trail little more narrow and is just a cut off from the man. I going northwest on that due to northeast being mostly uphill. Any questions let me know! Have fun!